Two goalkeepers with the Korean Olympic football team said Tuesday they will keep a friendly rivalry going at the Rio de Janeiro Summer Games.

Kim Dong-jun and Gu Sung-yun were named to Korea's 18-man squad for the Rio Games on June 27. However, head coach Shin Tae-yong has yet to decide a first-choice goalkeeper for South Korea, keeping both Kim and Gu working hard until the last minute.

Kim and Gu admitted they feel the competition between them, but the situation is helping them to perform better at the Rio Games.

"We are having a friendly rivalry," Kim said at the National Football Center in Paju, north of Seoul. "Each of us has his own forte, and if we can learn from each other I think we will be better players."

Gu said, "It will be a lie if (I said) there was no competition, but this makes both of us better. I'm having a lot of conversations with Kim to prepare for the Olympics."

Coach Shin has been emphasizing that those who play regularly with their clubs will be selected for the Rio Games, and both Kim and Gu qualify for this criterion.

Kim has conceded 22 goals in 18 matches with Seongnam FC in the top-flight K League Classic this season. Gu, who is with Japanese second-tier side Consadole Sapporo, has allowed nine goals in 17 matches.

Kim and Gu have been rivals since the Olympic football team gathered in March 2015. Kim first held a slight edge over Gu at the Asian Football Confederation U-23 Championship in January, which also served as the Asian qualifier for the Rio Games.

Kim played three matches at the AFC U-23 Championship, including the final where South Korea lost 3-2 to Japan. Gu wore the gloves in two matches including the quarterfinals against Jordan. Kim and Gu then shared each of two friendly matches against Algeria in March.

But at the four-nation international tournament in June Kim guarded the net against Honduras and conceded two goals, while Gu allowed only one goal in his play against Nigeria and Denmark. In total, Kim gave up 15 goals in 18 matches with the Olympic team, while Gu surrendered six goals in 11 matches.

Kim said he will focus on his own performance instead of thinking of others. "I'm not going to think about what other goalkeepers do," he said. "I will analyze the style of our opponents' attackers, and I think that will lead to good competition between me and Gu."

At the Rio Games, Korea have been paired with Germany, Mexico and Fiji in Group C. While European powerhouses Germany and defending champion Mexico were tapped as the two toughest opponents for Korea, Kim and Gu said their match against Fiji will actually give them a hard time.

"Against Germany and Mexico I will always be on alert because they are strong teams," Kim said. "But against Fiji, you can develop a stiff body because the ball may not come to our side often."

Gu added, "We can give up a goal in the last minute against Fiji and lose 1-0. Fiji will be our first opponents, and the first match in the tournament has always been tough."

Two goalkeepers said they are also prepared for penalty shootouts. Kim said confidence is the key.

"You have to make the kicker feel intimidated by the goalkeeper," he said. "I may mock the kicker or show other things before a player takes the kick."
Kim and Gu said head coach Shin has been asking them to engage actively in their buildup, such as making long passes. However, they prefer goalkeeper coach Lee Woon-jae's advice, which is focusing on defense stability.

"I think stability is the top priority," Gu said. "I try to give the impression to the coaching staff that I'm a stable goalkeeper."

Two goalkeepers said that their goal is to help Korea grab a gold medal at the Rio Games. Korea at the 2012 London Games won the bronze medal.

"You have to aim higher to achieve big things," Kim said. "I think it's not impossible to do better than what was achieved in 2012. Our goal is to win the gold."  (Yonhap)